The Job of an Imperial Concubine

Chapter 62: Death by Caning (杖毙)

Consort Ning’s¹ temperament was similar to her title, calm and peaceful. She was a woman who could easily make people feel at ease to a great degree. She and Zhuang Laoyan did not have much interaction in the past. For this reason, they did not speak much as they drank tea.

At present, everyone was watching her every move. Although she had to guard against those with ill intentions toward her, no one dared to be rude to her on the surface. This scenario where everyone was careful not to disrespect one made one feel extremely good. No wonder so many women wanted to be the most favored in the harem. Because power, luxury, and vanity came from the emperor’s favor.

“Consort Ning’s tea always tastes better than what I have,” said Noble Consort Xian with a smile, setting down her teacup. “Even though I have the same tea in my palace, I still am unable to get the same taste.”

“Such words are the truth. Usually, when His Majesty comes to my palace to drink tea, His Majesty always praises the tea of Elder Sister Consort Ning,” said Consort Rou with a smile. “Today, once I’ve drunk this tea, I truly feel that the ones in my palace are merely water used to wash pots.”

“The words of Elder Sister Noble Consort Xian and Younger Sister Consort Rou causes me much embarrassment.” Although Consort Ning’s voice wasn’t melodious, it gave others a sense of comfort that could not be put into words. It suited her gentle temperament. And it even made Zhuang Laoyan, a woman, very fond of her.

Something like approachability was also an effective implement in the imperial harem.

She picked up a tea cup and blew lightly at the tea. The taste was mild, yet carried the fragrance of plum blossoms. It made her recall those female leads in transmigration novels, and how they relied on their skill in making delicious tea to capture the attention of important characters. Once she had thought of this, Zhuang Laoyan found herself somewhat incompetent. When it came to talents, she couldn’t recite poetry or paint. She couldn’t even brew tea. Not to mention, she couldn’t sing or dance. And she couldn’t even completely recite the “Art of War²” from the “Thirty-Six Stratagems³.” When it came to emotions, she had no way to make that man think only of her. She truly could not pass the lowest standards of a transmigration female lead.

“What is Xianrong Zhao thinking about to be this distracted?” Consort Rou turned her head a hint to look at Zhuang Laoyan. At that angle, it seemed like she was looking at Zhuang Laoyan with arrogance.

“This concubine is merely thinking that whenever His Majesty arrived at my residence, he would also dislike this concubine’s tea. Originally, this concubine did not know the reason for this. But now, that is no longer the case.” With reluctance, Zhuang Laoyan drank another sip. “His Majesty’s taste has been raised this high by Her Highness Consort Ning. A common person like this concubine cannot brew a good tea for His Majesty.”

“The words of Your Highness, Xianrong Zhao, are too polite. Who doesn’t know that the food that comes from your palace’s personal kitchen are all culinary delicacies.” Because Noble Imperial Concubine Yan had lost face a few days ago, she was completely hostile against Zhuang Laoyan, someone who had entered the palace after her yet outranked her as a xianrong. “Although your honored self does not have good tea, His Majesty will keep coming to you because of your gourmet food.”

Other than to secretly mock her for using gourmet food to keep the emperor around, was there another intention?

In a lazy manner, Zhuang Laoyan looked at Noble Imperial Concubine Yan. “If Noble Imperial Concubine Yan likes any of my dishes, why don’t you share a meal with me in the future when you have the time?”

You mock me for relying on gourmet food to keep the emperor around. I mock you for not even having gourmet food. When Zhuang Laoyan struck at her opponent, she would never care about things like kindheartedness and nobleness.

“Many thanks for the kindness, Your Highness Xianrong Zhao. This concubine is not someone who has a strong desire for good food.” Noble Imperial Concubine Yan smiled to the point where her face was stiff. “It’s better not to disturb Your Highness.”

Noble Consort Shu idly watched as those women clashed. She blew at the tea leaves floating at the surface of the tea. After Noble Imperial Concubine Yan had finished speaking, she said in an unhurried pace, “It seems like Noble Imperial Concubine Yan does like culinary delicacies. Otherwise, why would you remember that Xianrong Zhao had a personal kitchen?” Gently setting down her teacup, she sent a brief glance at them. “Even His Majesty has said Xianrong Zhao is fond of gourmet food. Naturally, your desire for culinary delicacies does not compare to hers.”

Noble Consort Xian shifted her brows a shade. The words of Noble Consort Shu did not give Noble Imperial Concubine Yan any face at all. Although she had used the same path as Noble Consort Shu to attract the emperor’s favor, what a pity she did not copy her thoroughly enough. Some things could not be imitated. As such, Su Rui was a noble consort, and Xue Zhenyao was only a noble imperial concubine.

One must not blame Noble Consort Shu for such impolite words; no one would like seeing someone else copy them to rise in the ranks. At this moment, this Noble Imperial Concubine Yan still did not know how to act, and just had to be so talkative. No wonder other people didn’t give her any face.

After Noble Consort Shu had spoken, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s expression grew even worse. Her words explicitly and implicitly meant she could not compare to Zhuang Laoyan. However, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan could not refute her.

“Actually such praise is too excessive. It’s merely tea brewed with the plum blossoms picked from the snow. Yet, you have all praised it as extremely precious,” said Consort Ning in a gentle tone. “When it comes down to it, it’s merely something novel.”

Consort Ning successfully broke up the awkward atmosphere in the room. Zhuang Laoyan had not felt a sliver of awkwardness, however, drinking another big mouthful of tea. “This concubine is not someone who knows how to brew tea, and merely thinks this tea tastes good.” 

“Seeing the appearance of Your Highness drinking tea, this concubine is convinced you do not know how to appreciate tea,” said Noble Imperial Concubine Jiang with a smile. “This concubine was lacking in manners.  May Your Highness please grant forgiveness.”

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“I know that you want to use the phrase ‘a cow chewing Moutan peonies⁴’ to describe me.” Zhuang Laoyan shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. “In my opinion, the tea of Her Highness Consort Ning is delicious. And this is the biggest truth, correct?”

 “Among the tea’s flavor exists the plum blossom’s strength of character. How could this be a taste that’s common?” said Zhaorong Xu, a faint smile on her lips. “Your Highness the xianrong is indeed honest.”

Among all these women, Zhuang Laoyan found Zhaorong Xu the most unbearable; if she ranked the second, then no one would rank the first. Such pretentiousness truly caused others disgust. One would fear that she had forgotten the joke she had made of herself in the plum blossom garden a few days ago.

“There’s some good in being honest. To always easily grow melancholic seems fake in others’ eyes.” Consort Rou snickered in ridicule. “We are all common people. Naturally, we would not understand things like strength of character. No wonder Zhaorong Xu endures the bitter cold to appreciate the plum blossoms’ strength of character.”

As soon as Consort Rou had said this, laughter filled the room. It seemed no one had forgotten the joke Zhaorong Xu had made of herself prior. As such, everyone could not help but laugh.

Looking at Zhaorong Xu’s unsightly expression, Zhuang Laoyan sighed in her heart. The Heavens might not strike a pretentious person, but people would. A person with Consort Rou’s personality perhaps could not stand Zhaorong Xu’s pretentiousness even more than Zhuang Laoyan couldn’t. Therefore, her words did not allow her to keep any dignity at all.

A smile on her lips, Noble Consort Shu shook her head. She shifted her gaze to Zhuang Laoyan, her attitude full of jest. “It’s clear that you wasted the plum blossoms His Majesty bestowed to you. Fortunately, you do not know how to appreciate this plum blossom tea. Otherwise, those pitiful plum blossoms would enter your stomach.”

“May Your Highness Noble Consort Shu please allow this concubine to keep some face. Or else this concubine will be too embarrassed to stay here,” said Zhuang Laoyan, face flushing. She picked up her teacup to hide her embarrassment.

“Actually, We think beloved concubine’s words are correct. Thankfully, those pitiful plum blossoms did not enter your stomach.”

As soon as the women present had heard the emperor’s voice, they all rose to their feet in succession to pay respects.

Feng Jin reached out to support Noble Consort Shu to her feet, then turned to face Zhuang Laoyan. “Drink less, or We will feel bad for Consort Ning for the tea.”

Noble Consort Shu also made a few jokes. Afterward, her gaze fell upon the woman in red behind the emperor. “Isn’t that Cairen Zhen?” She looked her up and down. “Your Majesty the empress truly has great insight. These red clothes are truly suitable for Cairen Zhen.”

“This concubine thanks Your Highness for the praise.” Cairen gazed at the imperial concubines present enviously. These were all the masters in the harem that had some position. She thought that she would be like these women before long, and the servants would have to carefully wait on her. She’d be different from how she was now, obliged to pay respects to the imperial concubines higher in rank than her.

“Just a while ago, We met Cairen Zhen in the imperial gardens by chance. We heard that Consort Ning had invited all the beloved concubines to appreciate tea, so came for a look.” Feng Jin sat in the seat of honor. Received the cup of tea Consort Ning had presented to him. “You all may sit. We did not come to disturb you.”

With you around, even if there were some women who had the mood to appreciate tea, they would have already lost it. Zhuang Laoyan returned to her seat to sit. She glanced at Cairen Zhen, who sat at the farthest seat. Who did not say a word.

“A moment ago, We heard that Cairen Zhen can also brew good tea. However, We have never drunk any tea better than Consort Ning’s.” Feng Jin took a sip. Turned to face Consort Ning. “Truly a good tea. No wonder some people would rather be laughed at as a cow who chewed Moutan peonies just to drink a bit more.”

“Your Majesty is praising this concubine too much,” said Consort Ning. She smiled as she looked at Cairen Zhen. “How about this concubine have a taste of Cairen Zhen’s tea?”

A grunt of approval left Feng Jin’s lips. “Then let’s have her make some tea for us to taste,” he said without much care, setting down the teacup.

After Cairen Zhen had heard these words, a happiness that could not be concealed showed on her face. After saluting, she rushed to start.

Zhuang Laoyan sighed in her heart. This Cairen Zhen was too simple; she only thought of attracting the emperor’s attention. It had never crossed her mind that this was Consort Ning’s tea-appreciation event. How could she use this event to show off her tea-brewing skills? And she did not even try to decline modestly the slightest bit. Whether she was too confident or did not place Consort Ning in her eyes was truly anyone’s guess.

Under the gazes of all the imperial concubines, Cairen Zhen made tea, her actions graceful to the max. A fair hand held a Yixing clay teapot⁵. Coupled with that red dress, such a sight gave rise to a bright and splendid bewitchment that could not be put into words.

After every master had a cup of tea before them, Consort Ning’s plum blossom tea from prior had already gone cold.

Feng Jin was the first to have a taste. He nodded as he said, “Although it’s not as cool and refreshing as Consort Ning’s tea, it’s still delicious.”

A smile blossomed on Consort Ning’s lips. “Your Majesty is praising this concubine too much. Cairen Zhen’s tea has a special and distinctive flavor.”

Zhuang Laoyan took a sip. The tea indeed tasted decent. However, it had been brewed in the wrong place.

“We’re just about done drinking tea. The tea set should be put away,” said Feng Jin. He set down his teacup, appearing not too fond of Cairen Zhen’s tea.

“Understood.” Cairen Zhen had obtained a word of praise from the emperor and was full of joy in her heart. She rushed to order her personal maidservant, “Lao’er, put away the tea.”

Without a word, Feng Jin watched as the tea set was put away. Then he chatted a bit with the imperial concubines. About more than thirty minutes later, he turned to Consort Ning. “It’s getting late. We ought to return.”

One by one, the imperial concubines stood to send him off. After Feng Jin had taken two steps, he stopped in his tracks all of a sudden. And he pointed to the Lao’er who had just returned to the room. “Cairen Zhen, is this palace maid someone by your side? What is she called?”

Cairen Zhen thought that the emperor took a fancy to Lao’er. Although she felt unwilling, she still said deferentially, “Reporting to Your Majesty, this is this concubine’s first-ranked palace maid. Her name is Lao’er.”

“Which ‘lao?’” A slight furrow to his brows.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, this is the ‘lao’ in silk.” After Cairen Zhen had responded, the emperor did not react for a good while. She couldn’t help but raise her head in a careful manner. However, shewas only met with the handsome yet expressionless face of the emperor.

“Drag away that slave called Lao’er and cane her to death.” Feng Jin sent an indifferent glance Cairen Zhen’s way. “Have the Department of the Palace send a new palace maid to Cairen Zhen.”

Face pale, Cairen Zhen watched as eunuchs dragged Lao’er away. For a long time, she stood there stunned. Completely clueless on how Lao’er had caused the emperor displeasure.

“This tea appreciation event is over. This palace ought to return,” said Noble Consort Shu. She did not spare Cairen Zhen a glance as she left.

One by one, everyone left. After Cairen Zhen had stepped foot outside of Consort Ning’s palace in a confused manner, she finally felt cold all over.

“She doesn’t think about what kind of thing she is, and actually dares to use that name,” said a few eunuchs in gossip not too far away. “Serves her right to be caned to death. That Cairen Zhen truly is arrogant. She dared to call her own palace maid that name. Truly cannot be seen in public.”

Cairen Zhen staggered. When contrasted against the red dress, her good-looking face was pale to the point of terrifying.

“That Lao’er… How could she just be caned to death like that?” said a palace maid by Noble Imperial Concubine Jiang’s side, voice trembling. To clearly see a first-ranked palace maid die like that caused her heart to pound from fear.

“Currently, who are the people basking in the limelight the most?” asked Noble Imperial Concubine Jiang, tone normal.

“Who else could it be? Isn’t it just those few?” said the palace maid supporting Noble Imperial Concubine Jiang, not quite understanding. “But what does that have to do with them?”

“Do you know what Xianrong Zhao’s given name is?” Noble Imperial Concubine Jiang stared at a direction far away. Mockery in her tone, she said, “Who told that Lao’er to follow that master? Her death was justified.”

All of a sudden, realization struck that palace maid. No wonder the emperor would order death by caning for that Lao’er. Xianrong Zhao’s given name had a ‘lao’ character. Not only was the pronunciation the same, even the way to write it was.

“His Majesty truly favors Xianrong Zhao,” muttered the palace maid.

Noncommittal, Noble Imperial Concubine Jiang smiled. “Indeed he favors her.”

Yessss. That’s what you get, Cairen Zhen! (Sucks to be that palace maid though. Poor girl was innocent.)

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